4 “Musts” When Handling a Gun

Handling a gun requires that you be smart and cautious. Shooters who crack open their gun safes for a day on the range should follow these four “must dos” when handling their firearms to ensure their own safety and the safety of everyone around them.

1

The Gun is Loaded, Even if it's Not

Shooters should always treat the gun as if it’s loaded, even if it’s not. Unloaded guns can still be dangerous and must be handled carefully. If you can’t follow even this simple rule, your gun should be kept in the gun safe.

2

Watch Where you Point That Gun

Always, always, always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction. Make sure that if the gun were accidentally fired, damage to property would be minimal and there would be absolutely no physical injuries. This rule requires watching out for objects that could cause the bullet to ricochet and do damage.

3

Keep Your Finger off the Trigger Until You're Ready to Shoot

According to Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong—unless you take all preventative measures, including keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to pull it. Anything could cause you to accidentally fire off the gun. What if (though you should have smarter friends than this), while hunting with your buddies in the woods, one of them thinks it’s funny to come up from behind and scare the living daylights out of you? Your reaction to the scare could cause your finger to squeeze the trigger and seriously injure you or your friends.

4

Be Aware of Everything Surrounding Your Target

Hunting season is always exciting. After months of waiting, you finally get to unlock the gun safe and pull out the rifle. Just be absolutely sure when you go to take the shot for that fine buck that you know exactly what’s behind or near it if you should miss. Be overly cautious and keep your loved ones behind you.